Culture & Culture Shock

See our question and answer session with the Foundation for International Education staff to learn more about Irish culture.

Culture shock is defined as the lack of direction, the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do things in a new environment, and not knowing what is appropriate or inappropriate. The feeling of culture shock generally sets in after the first few weeks of arriving to a new place.

Symptoms of Culture Shock

Comparisons and unwarranted criticism of the new culture and people

Constant complaints about the climate

Heightened irritability

Preoccupation with returning home

Continual offering of excuses for staying indoors

Utopian ideas concerning one's previous culture

Continuous concern about the purity of water and food

Refusal to learn the language

Preoccupation about being robbed or cheated

Pressing desire to talk with people who "really make sense."

Dealing With Culture Shock

These are a few strategies that participants can implement to help cope with the stress of culture shock. Remember, these are easier said than done, so students will really need to push themselves to act on the following.

Realize that this is a normal process

Don’t be quick to judge – keep an open mind

Set some personal goals and evaluate your progress

Get involved in activities or find a hobby

Talk to your Site Director, Assistant Site Director(s), or ISAs – they can help!

Make an appointment to see an on-site mental health professional

Ask questions

Exercise

Be patient and don't compare

Don’t take yourself too seriously

Treat yourself to your “must haves” from a specialty market

Allow yourself to feel sad about the things that you have left behind: your family, your friends, etc.

Find ways to live with the things that don't satisfy you 100%

Reverse Culture Shock

Not only may students experience culture shock while living in a foreign country, but they may also encounter "reverse culture shock." Reverse culture shock occurs when students return to their home country after having been away for an extended period of time. Symptoms of reverse culture shock resemble those of culture shock in many ways. Students will explore reverse culture shock and the transition to Northeastern during the Global Experience class.

Concerns of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Participants

It is important to be aware of laws and attitudes towards LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered) issues when traveling abroad as there are varying cultural norms around LGBT issues globally. Here are a few resources available related to LGBT students and their international experience.